Press Release: SOM-12 and MM-6 CTI-CFF Affirm Commitments of 6 Coral Triangle Countries to Strengthen Conservation, Fisheries, and Food Security

PRESS RELEASE

SOM-12 and MM-6 CTI-CFF Affirm Commitments of

6 Coral Triangle Countries to Strengthen Conservation, Fisheries, and Food Security

- The 12th Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM-12) of Coral Triangle Initiative on
Coral Reef, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) held in the capital of Papua
New Guinea, Port Moresby, 1–2 November 2016, generated some commitments of action.

• SOM-12 was preceded by Pre SOM-12 activities which included Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings, Government Working Group (GWG), Partner’s Meeting, Cross Cutting Initiatives, as well as several small group meetings conducted on October 31, 2016.
• SOM-12 participants also attended a series of the 6th Ministerial Meeting (MM-6) events with Coral Triangle countries on November 3, 2016.

Manado, November 4, 2016 – The events of SOM-12 and MM-6 generated important commitments to action: work program priorities, institutional strengthening, and the Chairmanship handover of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) from Papua New Guinea to the Philippines for a period of two years.

Some proposed key tactical ideas to fulfill these commitments include engaging CTI-CFF in several international forums to help determine policy direction and represent the interests of CTI-CFF member countries in conservation, fisheries, and food security.

Another key tactical idea is the commitment to review and advance the cooperation agreement in the Bismarck Solomon Seas Ecoregion (BSSE), involving three member countries: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.

For the Technical Working Group (TWG), Governance Working Group (GWG), and the Cross-Cutting Themes, each should consistently implement and outreach the programs defined in the SOM and MM for grassroots stakeholders in the CT-6 countries.

SOM-12 was especially significant as it coincided with MM-6, attended by the ministers of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Malaysia, while Indonesia and the Philippines were represented by deputy ministers.

The Executive Director of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, Widi A. Pratikto, said: "SOM-12 and MM-6 became the best momentum for CTI-CFF member countries to re-establish the work program agenda of CTI-CFF—not only for implementation on the ground but also for overall effectiveness across all member countries."

"SOM-12 and MM-6 also became the platform for CTI-CFF member countries to safeguard the implementation of coral reef conservation programs and food security amidst worsening environmental conditions, both from climate change and economic pressures," added Widi.

SOM-12 and MM-6 also discussed the need to develop cooperation with CTI-CFF work partners, whether they had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or will sign it later. Institutions that signed MoUs with CTI-CFF include SEAFDEC, SPREP, IPB, ITS, UNHAS, and UNSRAT.

Several regional partners are ready to sign MoUs with CTI-CFF, including UMT (Universiti Malaysia Terengganu), PEMSEA, JCU (James Cook University), QU (Queensland University) from Australia, and SINU (Solomon Islands National University).

From a regional cooperation perspective in coral reef conservation, fisheries, and food security, SOM-12 united the vision and mission of member countries for the maritime program initiated in previous SOM meetings. It also served as a monitoring and evaluation tool for progress and challenges that still need to be addressed in implementing inter-regional programs.

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, hosted SOM-12 and MM-6 from October 31 to November 3, 2016. CTI-CFF operates under a Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) applicable from 2010 to 2020.

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About CTI – CFF

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership of six countries working together to preserve marine resources and coastal areas. It focuses on key issues such as food security, climate change, and marine biodiversity. CTI-CFF was formally established at the Leaders’ Summit in 2009 with approval from Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste (CT6) to adopt the CTI Regional Plan of Action (CTI RPOA). This strategic action plan is divided into several working groups addressing:

• Management of seascapes
• Ecosystem-based fisheries management
• Marine protected areas
• Climate change adaptation
• Management of endangered species

About Regional Secretariat

The Regional Secretariat of the CTI-CFF is mandated to promote regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and learning facilities among the six member countries of the Coral Triangle. It coordinates and monitors the progress of CTI-CFF Regional Action Plan (RPOA) objectives. Main activities include organizational development, achievement of objectives, communication, coordination through regional mechanisms, technical and thematic working groups, development of key reports at a regional level, and capacity building. The Secretariat also hosts official CTI-CFF functions such as the Annual Senior Officials Meeting and biannual Ministerial Meeting. It is currently based at the permanent office in Manado, North Sulawesi.

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Media Contact:

Andie Wibianto
Communication & Information Manager
CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat
www.coraltriangleinitiative.org
andiewibi@cticff.org
+62 856 7653 939